Present and likely future developments demand a critical reexamination of romanizatian in library cataloging. Romanization is asserted to be a problem-laden undertaking necessary for the universal author/title catalog but without other merit. Abandonment of the universal author/title concept is recommended in favor of separate catalogs according to writing system, with headings appropriate for the system. The universal subject catalog should be retained; systematic romanization is not required for this catalog.
PRECIS: the Preserved Context Index System was originally developed by the
British National Bibliography to provide subject index data for UK/MARC records,
and to produce an alphabetical subject index for the national bibliography.
The present potential of the system extends beyond these initial objectives.
The processes involved in index production are divided between the indexer and
the computer: the former undertakes those tasks which require human judgments;
the latter carries out clerical operations which are entirely mechanical.
Index entries in PRECIS have been planned with certain user cri¬teria in
mind: in particular, comprehensibility and coextensiveness. Basic research suggested
that these could be achieved if entries were constructed according to the principle
of "context-dependency": that is, if each terns in the entry sets
the next term into its obvious context. Entries constructed in this way are
generated by a computer from input strings of terms and instruction codes written
by the indexer. The rules governing the preparation of these strings comprise
the syntax of PRECIS, and are embodied in a schema of role operators. Reference
Indicator Numbers (RINs) are also appended to strings; these numbers lead to
the extraction of appropriate See and See also references from a machine-held
thesaurus. The creation and use of this thesaurus constitutes the semantic side
of the system. In addition to its semantic and syntactic components, PRECIS
has a facility, known as the Subject Indicator Number, which provides an economical
means for dealing with "repeat" subjects.
The Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) data model holds great potential for improving access to library resources, but may not affect all libraries in the same way. The Joint Steering Committee for Revision of AACR, assisted by the work of its Format Variation Working Group, is exploring ways to incorporate FRBR into the next edition of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules to facilitate collocation at the level of the FRBR entity expression. Several library system vendors are also adding FRBR-based functionality to their systems. A combination of these two approaches to FRBR can provide significant benefits to users. Most FRBR entities and attributes are already present in library catalog records, and the influence of FRBR can also be seen in existing library activities. FRBR is thus not something totally foreign, but a fresh, more rigorous way of thinking about what libraries already do that provides a basis for designing new ways to improve users’ access to library resources.
The basic aims of Fremont Rider's International Classification are reexamined. It is argued that there is a difference between classification for bibliographies and catalogues, on the one hand, and classification for the arrangement of physical items on shelves, on the other, yet some systems try to meet both needs. The requirements for a shelf classification are examined and the hypothesis is offered that they cannot easily be met by a classification designed for catalogues and bibliographies. If distinct classifications are feasible the result might be greater efficiency and the narrowing of the gap between different modes of thought regarding library classification. Little-used systems, such as Rider's, ought to be tested as shelf classifications alongside acknowledged standard schemes.
In early 1975, the research library community was surveyed concerning its adoption, application, and assessment of the revision of chapter 6, "Separately Published Monographs," of the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, North American Text (AACR). Responses reveal widespread acceptance of this publication and support of the introduction of changes to the AACR which are undertaken to incorporate International Standard Bibliographic Descriptions in the form of rules that are mandatory in their use. It should not be concluded, however, that revised chapter 6 has enjoyed uncritical acceptance by its followers; reactions to specific provisions, including locally developed substitutes for them, are indicated.
The problem of entry for serial publications is reexamined in view of recent developments and proposals. A possible solution to the problem is suggested, which takes into consideration the compatibility between AACR and international standards for serials as well as the integrity of the catalog.
Technical services librarians, as well as educators, have an interest in the background given those who enter the profession at the beginning level. An elective course available to students at the University of Michigan is described.
In 1972 and 1973 the University of Guelph Library used machine-readable files of its collections to take inventory. Computer-produced optically scannable documents were marked by a team of students. The resulting machine-readable files of missing books were run against circulation files and matching items eliminated. The operation involved no interruption of library services or routine. It was shown that the installation of a book detection system had reduced losses to .5 percent for the year.
Inventories of university library collections are rarely taken today. The California State Polytechnic University Library conducted an inventory of three of its collections containing 286,409 volumes. The method utilized in performing the inventory is described and some of the benefits of the inventory are identified. The inventory itself produced useful information and statistics for the Acquisitions, Catalog, Collection Development Services, Reference and Circulation Departments and provided considerable means for improving public services.